Lorenzo Masnah

Bogota, Colombia-Based Lorenzo Masnah at the Newly-Launched Gallery Estrella in Charleston, SC and at the Historic Mosquito Beach

January 13, 2021

Inspired by the various picket signs that surfaced in Atlanta, Georgia following the murder of George Floyd, Bogota-based Lorenzo Masnah began creating a series of images that has evolved into an expansive, expressive body of work. An exhibition featuring a a diverse selection of these singularly timely visuals is currently on view in the newly-launched Gallery Estrella in Charlston, South Carolina.

The tryptic featured above, “Rosa, We Didn’t,” was crafted with spray paint and markers on Batik fabric. Several more artworks presented in Paper Cuts — Masnah’s first solo exhibition in seven years — follow, along with images of the artist captured by Leigh-Ann Beverly at Mosquito Beach, a refuge for African-Americans during the Jim Crow era.

“My Execution,” Spray paint and markers on canvas

At Mosquito Beach

“No New Jails,” Spray paint and markers on canvas

At Mosquito Beach

“Silence Is Betrayal,” Spray paint and markers on canvas

“Georgia’s Blues,” Spray paint, acrylic and markers on canvas

Lorenzo Masnah at Mosquito Beach

Proceeds from “Paper Cuts” will benefit the community center in San Basilio de Palenque, the largely Afro-Colombian village, whose members are direct descendants of African enslaved people brought to Colombia by Europeans during the colonization of the Americas.

Located at 121 Spring Street in Charleston, SC, Gallery Estrella, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Check here for hours, and find out about the gallery’s mission here.

Photos: 1, 2, 4, 6 & 7, courtesy the artist and Gallery Estrella; 3, 5 & 8, Leigh-Ann Beverly

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At “Street Lynx Bta” in Bogota, Colombia: Ledania, SakoAsko, Beek, DjLu, El Care Barbie and More

September 20, 2019

Home to dozens of outstanding artists who are active on both the streets and in their studios, Bogota is a thriving oasis of strikingly impressive urban art. Yet — like so many South American cities — it has been largely overlooked by the dominant street art scene. In his efforts to bring his city’s extraordinary art to a wider audience, Bogota native Lorenzo Masnah launched Street Lynx Bta, a cheerful, welcoming urban art gallery in Bogota’s historic downtown district in 2018. Currently on view is an exhibit featuring artwork by several first-rate artists concurrently participating in Street ArtBo, an art fair curated and coordinated by Street Lynx Bta. What follows are several of the artworks on exhibit in the gallery space:

The prolific Bogota-based Ledania who is increasingly making her mark throughout the globe

The hugely influential Bogota-based SakoAsko

Bogota-based Beek, renowned for his masterly wild-style graffiti

The esteemed Bogota-based stencil artist DjLu

LA -based, Colombian graphic designer El Care Barbie

Note: In addition to the Colombian artists participating in Street ArtBo — that continues through Sunday, the 22nd — are several international ones, as well.

Photos courtesy Street Lynx Bta

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Urban Reference with Lorenzo Masnah, Alex Seel and Guillermo Perez Continues through Tomorrow at 548 West 28th Street in Chelsea

March 3, 2016

On view through tomorrow at 548 West 28th Street is Urban Reference, an engaging exhibit of works in a variety of media by Lorenzo Masnah, Alex Seel and Guillermo Perez. When I visited earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak to Lorenzo.

Just what is going on here?

When an opportunity to exhibit art in this space came our way, we decided to launch a show on the theme of urban life. It is what we know best!

There seem to be a few different motifs going on here.

Yes! Alex‘s photos were shot in Colombia’s capital city, Bogota. He spent several weeks there working on a documentary focusing on the city’s street life Highlights include: live bombing by APC members, including Stinkfish; an interview with Bogota’s legendary MC, Manny from the underground rap group, Crack Family and advice from assorted characters who dwell on the streets of Bogota.

And what about Guillermo Perez? I love his paintings.

Guillermo Perez was born in the Dominican Republic into a family of master painters. On exhibit are his small works referencing people he’s met in the urban sphere.

How did you all three meet?

A number of years back, we shared the same living space in Bushwick — before the neighborhood became so gentrified.

You are continuing your series of dancers and musicians here, along with new works with a distinct urban flair and outsider sensibility. What are your primary media?

I work with the “tools of the trade,” — Mean Streak markers and paints on a huge range of surfaces. And I find myself incorporating graffiti elements.

How did you get the word out about the exhibit — on such short notice?

Largely through Instagram and Facebook. And, of course, we let all our close friends know.

How can folks see the exhibit?

It will continue through tomorrow, Friday. We are on the third floor of 548 West 28th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Note: Lorenzo can be contacted at thirdwolrdpirate@gmail.com to confirm a visit

Images:

1. Lorenzo Masnah

2. Alex Seel

3. Guillermo Perez

4. Lorenzo Masnah, close-up

Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky

Photo credits: 1 Lois Stavsky; 3 Dani Reyes Mozeson & 4 courtesy of Lorenzo Masnah

Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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21st Precinct Anniversary Exhibit Continues Through Tomorrow at 196 Bowery: Alice Mizrachi, Ghost & Giz, Chris Soria & Misha Tyutyunik, Pesu, Lorenzo Masnah, Ben Angotti, Bad Pedestrian, N Carlos J & more

August 29, 2015

On view at the Judith Charles Gallery though tomorrow — Sunday — is a selection of new works, along with salvaged ones, by many of the artists who had participated in last year’s landmark 21st Precinct Exhibit. Here is a sampling:

Alice Mizrachi

Ghost and Giz, fragment salvaged from last year’s installation

Chris Soria and Misha Tyutyunik

Pesu

Lorenzo Masnah. fragment

Ben Angotti. close-up

Bad Pedestrian

N Carlos J

Presented by Outlaw Arts, the exhibit remains on view 1-9pm today, Saturday, and tomorrow.

Photos of artworks by Lois Stavsky

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Kids on Walls — Part VIII: Nick Walker, Izolag, Chain, Lorenzo Masnah, Miss 163, Adnate, Icy & Sot and Shiro

August 20, 2015

This is the eighth in a series of occasional posts featuring images of children that have surfaced on NYC public spaces:

Nick Walker in the South Bronx

Izolag in Hunts Point

Chain for JMZ Walls in Bushwick

Lorenzo Masnah on the Lower East Side

Miss 163 in Hunts Point

Australian artist Adnate at the Bushwick Collective, close-up

Icy and Sot on the Lower East Side, close-up

Shiro in Bushwick

Note: Entre La Guardia y El Dorado, featuring works by Lorenzo Masnah (featured above) and Alex Seel, will open this evening at 6pm at XY Atelier Gallery, 81 Hester Street on the corner of Orchard. It will remain on view until August 30.

Photo credits: 1 Tara Murray; 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 4 courtesy of the artist 7 Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Lorenzo Masnah aka AEON on APC’s First U.S. Exhibit, Romance, Recycled Art & more

January 28, 2015

I caught up with Bogota native Lorenzo Masnah — aka AEON and Third World Pirate — last week in his Bushwick studio as he was readying to head to Chicago’s Galerie F to join Stinkfish, Zas and Buytronick in preparation for APC’s first exhibit in the U.S.

You are leaving in a few hours for Chicago. What’s happening there?

I will be working with Stinkfish, Zas and Buytronick to produce a series of collaborative works. Each of us has a distinct graphic language and they all will come together on an array of surfaces – from found objects to huge outdoor murals — for this exhibit at Galerie F. Drawings, paintings, zines, shirts and all kinds of APC paraphernalia will be on sale at the gallery. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday, January 30.

Can you tell us something about APC? What does it mean? When did you guys all meet?

The crew originated almost ten years ago back in Bogota with a few artists who participated together in festivals. These days we have over 50 members representing APC throughout the entire world. The acronym has many different meanings. Its principal one is Animal Power Cult, as animals play an essential role in our individual and common aesthetic.

What about you? You seem to have three distinct identities. I primarily associate you with Third World Pirate as I remember watching you paint your iconic pirate almost ten years ago in Bogota. But there everyone seems to refer to you as AEON. And, here in NYC, I’ve come to think of you as Lorenzo Masnah.

I’ve been obsessed with pirates and drawing them in endless variations since I was a child growing up in Bogota. That explains Third World Pirate! He is the one character who always travels with me. AEON is my acronym for Al Estilo Orto Nombre (Another Name for Style) – as I began getting up back in 2002 in Bogota with distinct one-line drawings. And I adopted the name Lorenzo Masnah when I had my solo show at Fuse Gallery in 2013.

Among the highlights of your solo show at Fuse Gallery were your refashioned images of beautiful Mexican women. That is another theme that resurfaces in your work. Can you tell us something about that? You seem to be quite obsessed with Mexican ladies!

Yes, for years I’ve been collecting Mexican erotic magazines dated from the early 1950s. This past year, in fact, while visiting Mexico, I discovered in a used book store in Puebla a huge stack of 45 records with covers fashioned from these vintage magazine pictures. I bought them all! And I am now working with them, recreating them with images that transcend that specific era.

Why do you suppose these images so engage you?

I love their pure innocence, their nostalgic beauty! And they represent so much of what we are missing in our era of Internet dating, where romance has lost its essence. And I’ve also always loved working with recycled materials. It is my way of preserving the past, as I create a visual encyclopedia of aesthetics and issues that speak to me – and, hopefully, to others.

What’s ahead?

After Chicago, we plan to travel out West and then return to NYC for APC’s first East Coast exhibit.

It all sounds great! We look forward to seeing you guys in NYC.

Note: Animal Tricks opens this Friday, January 30, at 6 pm at Galerie F. Located at 2381 N Milwaukee Ave in Chicago IL. The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM.

Interview by Lois Stavsky. Photos: 1. AEON paints in Chicago, courtesy Galerie F; 2. flyer for exhibit, collaborative by featured APC artists; 3. APC in NYC with AEON, Zas, Rimx and Arepa photographed by Tara Murray; 4. AEON on canvas photographed by Lois Stavsky; 5 – 7. APC in Chicago courtesy Galerie F.

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Speaking with Lorenzo Masnah about “Hard Times/Tiempos Difíciles”

October 29, 2012

For the past several years, the young Colombian artist Lorenzo Masnah has been culling images of human rights violations, national tragedies and global disasters from a range of international magazines and newspapers. These images – recycled, recreated and screen printed by the artist – have made their way not only onto public spaces, alternative settings and galleries, but also into a series of hand-made books, Nuevos Tiempos.

Lorenzo Masnah’s most recent book, Hard Times/Tiempos Difíciles focuses on natural disasters and presents haunting images of lost and frightened people in the face of tragedy. We recently had the chance to speak to Lorenzo, who is based these days in NYC and is at work in the East Village on a number of political murals.

The images in your book Hard Times/Tiempos Dificiles are quite disturbing. Why did you choose to create a book with images that focus on life’s bleaker side?

When disaster struck in Haiti in 2010, I was particularly moved by newspaper photos that revealed the facial expressions of the Haitian people in the wake of tragedy. I began collecting these images and mounting them throughout my living spaces. They seemed to speak to me. At about the same time, heavy rains struck Bogota and, again, I was drawn to the facial and bodily expressions that surfaced in the printed media, as they reflected what I was seeing as I walked around the city at the time. The following year, I was on the West Coast when heavy rains struck again. Reworking images I collected and self-publishing them was my way of honoring those people struck by unforeseeable disasters that could happen to anyone at any time. It is also my therapy.

How did you go about selecting the images that you include in the book?

I have endless boxes filled with images I collect that engage me either politically or emotionally. From time to time I review these images and I categorize them. Then, I choose my favorites. Those are the ones I include in my books.

Tell us something about the process of publishing these books.

After I select the images that I want to include in the book, I dissect and rework them – often with lines and elements influenced by graffiti – and then I screen print them. When I’m satisfied with my selection of images, inks and colors — with feedback from folks at my local deli — I bind the pages with cardboard covers, recycled from boxes I get from nearby restaurants.

What motivates you to keep working on this particular project?

My intent is to give new meaning to news that is generally discarded at the end of each day. I see what I’m doing as a long-term project – recreating visual narratives that speak about and to a range of people across the globe. I am interested in preserving memories.

Masnah’s books are available directly through the artist at thirdwolrdpirate@gmail.com. His prints, along with those by other members of APC — the Animal Power Crew that Lorenzo co-founded with Stinkfish back in 2006 — are available at Mula Printing. Photo of Lorenzo with book by Lois Stavsky.

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Girls on Walls, Part VI: Tristan Eaton, Lady Aiko, Gilf!, Inkie, Paola Beck, Lorenzo Masnah, Sien, ND’A and OverUnder

October 26, 2012

This is the sixth in a series of posts of images of girls — and women — who grace New York City’s public spaces:

Los Angeles native Tristan Eaton in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Tokyo native Lady Aiko in Washington Heights, Manhattan

Brooklyn-based Gilf! at Bushwick Five Points

The legendary London-based Inkie at Bushwick Five Points

Mexico City-based artist Paola Beck at Bushwick Five Points

Colombia native Lorenzo Masnah in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Bronx-based artist Sien in Red Hook, Brooklyn

The wonderfully talented ND’A and OverUnder in the East Village

Photos of Tristan Eaton, Gilf!, Paola Beck & Sien by Lois Stavsky; Lady Aiko, Lorenzo Masnah and OverUnder & ND’A by Lenny Collado; Inkie by Tara Murray

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Lorenzo Masnah

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